Method of making wheels



a. s. PORTER.

METHOD OF MAKING WHEELS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24, 1919.

1,367,092, Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

* UNITED sTA Es GEORGES. YORTER, OE J'ACKSON, JlIIICI-IIIGAIT.

METHOD MAKING WHEELS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

Application filed. February 24, 1919. Serial No. 278,615.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnoncn STANLEY PORTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of Jackson, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Making WVheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved method of making wheels.

My improved method of making wheels is especially adapted for use in the manufacture of vehicle wheels although desirable for use in the manufacture of other types of wheels, pulleys and the like.

The main objects ofthis invention are:

First, to provide an improved method of making wheels by means of which combination wood and metal wheels may be rapidly and economically manufactured.

Second, to provide an improved method of making wheels which results in wheels of accurate and uniform size and of great strength and durability.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention. by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a side view of a wheel manufactured according to my improved method before the hub is applied.

Fig. II is a detail sectional view on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. I, the position of one of the outer felly member flanges prior to its being rolled down being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. III is a view of the split inner felly member showing the lateral distortion thereof to permit rapid assembling of the spokes therein.

Fig. IV is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. III.

Fig. V is a view similar to Fig. III showing the spokes partially assembled in the split inner rim member.

Fig. VI is a side view of the outer rim member.

Fig. 'YII is a detail perspective view illustratmg the upsetting and sizing of the assembled spokes and rim members.

I11 the drawing similar reference charac- .ters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In carrying out or practising my improved method of making wheels a set of wood spokes 1 having complementary inwardly tapered inner ends 2 and tenoncd outer ends 3 are arranged in the split inner metal felly member 4. This felly member is channel-shaped in cross section facing outwardly and has undercut or beveled ends 5, its ends being alsocut at an angle to the radialplane of the rim. This inner felly member is preferably spirally distorted, as indicated in Figs. III and V, to facilitate the assembling of the parts therein. The spokes are assembled in this inner felly member with their tenons Sengaged in the sockets 6 formed in the rim member to receive them-see Fig. II.

The distorted rim member 4: with the as sembled spokes therein is then returned or, if necessary, forced into the plane of the spokes in the wheel which brings the spokes into their alined position and it will be found that they are also subjected to a considerable stress if made of the proper di mensions.

The outer felly member 7 is then arranged over the inner member, the outer felly member illustrated being provided with flanges 8 and 9. The flange 9 is then turned down by spinning or rolling after the outer felly member is arranged upon the inner.

With the outer and inner felly members thus assembled upon the set of spokes the assembled parts are arranged in an upset ting machine designated generally by the numeral 10, the machine illustrated in Fig. VII being of the hydraulic type. It is deemed unnecessary to describe in detail the mechanism of this upsetting machine.

The assembled parts are upset by the upsetting machine to compress the spokes and size the wheel, the felly members being of such material and weight as to retain their upset form holding the spokes with the desired pressure at the arch. The wheel is then adapted to receive the tire or head member is preferred by me at either mounted directly upon the felly member 7 or held in a rim, as 11. A rubber tire 12 is shown conventionally.

Wheels may be very rapidly and economically manufactured by my improved method and the wheels so manufactured are of great strength and durability.

The distortion of the inner rim to receive the spokes may be very considerably varied from that shown and my improved method carried out with advantage. However, the particular manner of distorting the rim this time and therefore I have illustrated that form.

Having thus described my invention, what aim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

The method of making wheels which consists in assembling a set of spokes having tenoned outer ends and inwardly tapered complementary inner ends in a split inner felly member, the ends of which are distorted laterally from the plane of the spokes in the wheel, bringing said rim member and the spokes so assembled therein into the plane of the spokes in the wheel, arranging a continuous outer metal felly member upon said inner felly member, and upsetting such assembled felly members and spokes to compress the spokes and size the wheel.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

G. S. PORTER.

Ross HoLMns, O. E. BINGHAM. 

